An unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familia... Read allAn unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familial bonds.An unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familial bonds.
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Cher and Wynona Ryder are very believable as Mrs. and Charlotte Flax, respectively. Mrs. Flax is a single mom who lives by the motto "Real women never get too old." Her bright, bold, sexy ways make her a special woman but aren't enough to spare her from all the characteristic pains of single motherhood. Moving from town to town with every new relationship, she finds herself at odds her 15 year old daughter, Charlotte.
Charlotte wants to be everything her mother isn't - pious, proper, humble, and pure. Her good intentions, however, are constantly in conflict with her basic nature, which is more like her mothers. Charlotte develops a fierce crush on Joe, the caretaker at a nearby convent. When Mrs. Flax's potentially serious relationship with the endearing Lou, played by Bob Hoskins, hits a rough patch, she too finds herself attracted to Joe. With competition for his affection to add fuel to the fire between Mrs. Flax and Charlotte, the only thing they can seem to agree on is caring for Katie, Charlotte's little sister, charmingly played by a young Christina Ricci. As things come to a head in the small town where the Flaxes are living, Katie's well-being hangs in the balance while both her mom and older sister try to work through their impulses.
Charlotte wants to be everything her mother isn't - pious, proper, humble, and pure. Her good intentions, however, are constantly in conflict with her basic nature, which is more like her mothers. Charlotte develops a fierce crush on Joe, the caretaker at a nearby convent. When Mrs. Flax's potentially serious relationship with the endearing Lou, played by Bob Hoskins, hits a rough patch, she too finds herself attracted to Joe. With competition for his affection to add fuel to the fire between Mrs. Flax and Charlotte, the only thing they can seem to agree on is caring for Katie, Charlotte's little sister, charmingly played by a young Christina Ricci. As things come to a head in the small town where the Flaxes are living, Katie's well-being hangs in the balance while both her mom and older sister try to work through their impulses.
Winona Ryder is fantastic in this movie - its a helluva part and she plays it for all it is worth. Whether she is worshipping Joe (the local hunk-deluxe), or watching 'The Singing Nun' on television, she is completely believable. Her relationship with her less-than-perfect Mother (Cher) is also believable. As a bonus, you get Christina Ricci and Bob Hoskins and some beautiful cinematography. It also has a real feel for the 60's.
Downsides are one cliche too many (WHY does every movie that takes place in the 60's have to feature JFK's assassination?) and it goes on a tad too long, but its worth watching for sure.
Downsides are one cliche too many (WHY does every movie that takes place in the 60's have to feature JFK's assassination?) and it goes on a tad too long, but its worth watching for sure.
Are you serious? Film, screenplay, Winona Ryder and Cher didn't get Oscar nominations? Only 56 as critics' metascore? Pure injustice! This film is awesome, so witty and beautifully acted! 👍🏻👍🏻
It's 1963. Charlotte Flax (Winona Ryder) is a teen obsessed with Catholicism despite being Jewish. Her sister Kate (Christina Ricci) swims like a fish. She calls her mother Mrs. Flax (Cher). After yet another failed relationship with her married boss, Mrs. Flax randomly chooses coastal Eastport, Massachusetts and leaves Oklahoma. Charlotte falls for local handyman 26 year old Joe and overjoyed with the local convent. Meanwhile Mrs. Flax is courted by shoe store owner Lou Landsky (Bob Hoskins).
It is a fine coming-of-age movie that concentrates heavily on the interior monologue of Charlotte. Her imaginative confused teenage mind lends itself to some comedy. It does need more and funnier jokes. It's more like a slice of quirky teenage observations. The movie needs some kind of end point or goal. Even if the goal is something fanciful like Charlotte wanting to be a saint or maybe simply wanting to be a nun.
It is a fine coming-of-age movie that concentrates heavily on the interior monologue of Charlotte. Her imaginative confused teenage mind lends itself to some comedy. It does need more and funnier jokes. It's more like a slice of quirky teenage observations. The movie needs some kind of end point or goal. Even if the goal is something fanciful like Charlotte wanting to be a saint or maybe simply wanting to be a nun.
A single mother, Mrs Flax (played by Cher), relocates to a small town with her two daughters, Charlotte (Winona Ryder) and Kate (Christina Ricci). We see how their relationship evolves and new relationships are formed.
Beautiful, funny, moving movie. Tackles a range of issues, and tackles them well. Plus, add in some hilarious one-liners and scenarios and you have a great movie.
Cher surprises by proving herself a competent actress. Winona Ryder is gorgeous and great as her oldest daughter. I am not usually a fan of precocious kids in movies, but 10-year old Christina Ricci, in her first movie role, is great - adorable, bubbly and funny. Bob Hoskins is his usual solid self.
Wonderful movie.
Beautiful, funny, moving movie. Tackles a range of issues, and tackles them well. Plus, add in some hilarious one-liners and scenarios and you have a great movie.
Cher surprises by proving herself a competent actress. Winona Ryder is gorgeous and great as her oldest daughter. I am not usually a fan of precocious kids in movies, but 10-year old Christina Ricci, in her first movie role, is great - adorable, bubbly and funny. Bob Hoskins is his usual solid self.
Wonderful movie.
Soundtrack
Preview the soundtrack here and continue listening on Amazon Music.
Did you know
- TriviaSource novelist Patty Dann has said of this filmed adaptation: "It was wonderful and a bit overwhelming. I would be sorting socks on the bed and get calls like, Barbra Streisand wants to do the movie, and I'd just say, sure, and then Cher ended up playing the mother. It was a wild experience. I like the movie very much. The first time I saw it without music it had a very different feel, and it took a while to get used to the soundtrack. When I wrote it, I never thought about music in the background, but now I put the music on sometimes when I clean the house."
- GoofsThe subtitle "1963" is shown as Charlotte watches Soeur Sourire perform "Dominique" on the 5 January 1964 broadcast of Toast of the Town (1948).
- Quotes
Rachel Flax: Charlotte, I know you're planning a celibate life, but with half my chromosomes, I think that might be tough.
- Alternate versionsThe versions shown on A&E and Lifetime both have the ending between Cher and Christina Ricci.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Cher: The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) (1990)
- SoundtracksDominique
Music by Soeur Sourire
French lyrics by Soeur Sourire
English lyrics by Noel Regney
Performed by Soeur Sourire
Courtesy of Sullivan Productions, Inc.
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $20,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $35,419,397
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,514,678
- Dec 16, 1990
- Gross worldwide
- $35,419,397
- Runtime
- 1h 50m(110 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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